Provision of systems, provision of devices and programs

Abstract

Provided is a providing system capable of more appropriately managing patterns drawn on the upper surface of an object. The providing system of the present invention includes a providing device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the providing device via a network, the providing device including a printer capable of adding drawing materials to the object supplied to the container, the providing device being configured to accept one of a plurality of patterns, and being configured to send pattern recognition information capable of identifying the pattern to the management device when accepting a pattern, the management device being configured to store each pattern data corresponding to each pattern recognition information, sending pattern data corresponding to the pattern recognition information received from the providing device to the providing device, and the providing device operating the printer based on the pattern data received from the management device, thereby adding drawing materials in a manner of drawing the pattern accepted by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a providing system, a providing device and a program. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a latte art is popular, in which characters or other patterns are drawn on the foamed milk on the upper surface of a beverage such as a coffee latte. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for performing latte art, and discloses a management method capable of automatically managing the expiration date of edible ink used in latte art.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-110178 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the past, food coloring agents were added to the milk foam on the upper surface of the beverage poured into the container to complete the latte art, so that users could enjoy the characters and other patterns drawn on the upper surface of the beverage. In such a situation, it is necessary to properly manage the patterns drawn on the upper surface of the object such as the beverage.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a providing system and the like capable of more appropriately managing a pattern drawn on the upper surface of an object.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] A provision system as one embodiment of the present invention includes a provision device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the provision device via a network, wherein:

[0011] The supply device includes a printer capable of adding a drawing material to an object supplied into a container,

[0012] The providing device is configured to receive one of the plurality of patterns, and when receiving one pattern, transmits pattern recognition information representing the pattern to the management device.

[0013] The management device is configured to store each pattern recognition information for recognizing a pattern in association with each pattern data, and to transmit the pattern data associated with the pattern recognition information received from the providing device to the providing device,

[0014] The providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data received from the management device, thereby adding a drawing material so as to draw the pattern received by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

[0015] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, the providing system includes a plurality of the providing devices.

[0016] The management device stores each providing device identification information for identifying the providing device in association with one or more pattern identification information,

[0017] The providing device is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with the providing device identification information indicating the providing device.

[0018] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, each of the providing devices is disposed in each store where the object is provided.

[0019] The management device stores store identification information for identifying a store in association with the providing device identification information, and stores the store identification information and the providing device identification information in association with one or more pattern identification information.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the management device stores the store identification information, the providing device identification information, and the pattern identification information in association with the acceptance period.

[0021] The providing device is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern recognition information associated with the acceptance period including the current time by the management device.

[0022] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, the management device stores each store identification information in association with the quantity of the object provided, and stores the store identification information, the providing device identification information, and the pattern identification information in association with a set quantity range.

[0023] The providing device is configured to accept the pattern represented by the pattern identification information only when the provided quantity associated with the store identification information by the management device is within a set quantity range associated with the store identification information, the providing device identification information and the pattern identification information.

[0024] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, the management device sets the set quantity range in the following manner: when the supply quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the supply device identification information representing the supply device is greater than a specified quantity, the supply device can accept patterns represented by pattern identification information of a first number of types, and when the supply quantity is less than the specified quantity, the supply device can accept patterns represented by pattern identification information of a second number of types which is less than the first number of types.

[0025] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, the management device sets the set quantity range in the following manner: when the provided quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the providing device identification information representing the providing device is greater than a specified quantity, the providing device can accept a pattern represented by the pattern recognition information including the specified pattern recognition information, and when the provided quantity is less than the specified quantity, the providing device can accept a pattern represented by the pattern recognition information that does not include the specified pattern recognition information.

[0026] Furthermore, as one aspect of the present invention, the management device stores only the providing device identification information associated with the predetermined period and the predetermined store identification information in association with the pattern identification information including the predetermined pattern identification information.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the providing device is configured to receive customer identification information for identifying a customer, and when receiving the customer identification information, the providing device is configured to transmit the customer identification information to the management device.

[0028] The management device stores the store identification information associated with the providing device identification information of the providing device indicating that the customer identification information has been received in association with the customer identification information, and when the customer identification information is associated with the specified store identification information, the management device stores the specified pattern identification information among the pattern identification information stored in association with the providing device identification information in association with the customer identification information,

[0029] The providing device that receives the customer identification information associated with the predetermined store identification information is configured to be able to receive a pattern represented by the predetermined pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with the customer identification information.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the management device stores object identification information for identifying an object, and stores one object identification information in association with only one pattern identification information.

[0031] The providing device is configured to accept one object among a plurality of objects, and when accepting one object, is configured to accept only a pattern represented by pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with object identification information representing the object.

[0032] Furthermore, as one aspect of the present invention, the providing device deletes the pattern data after adding the drawing material based on the pattern data.

[0033] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal device is also included.

[0034] The providing device is configured to receive pattern data from the user terminal device, and when receiving one pattern data, transmit the pattern data to the management device.

[0035] When the management device receives the pattern data from the providing device, it determines whether the pattern data satisfies a predetermined criterion, and when it is determined that the pattern data satisfies the predetermined criterion, it sends permission information for permitting drawing to the providing device.

[0036] When receiving the permission information, the providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data transmitted to the management device, thereby adding the drawing material so as to draw a pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

[0037] In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal device is also included.

[0038] The user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create pattern data using only predetermined pattern elements.

[0039] The providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data to add a drawing material so as to draw the pattern received by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

[0040] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a providing method as one embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing an object, which is performed in a providing device capable of providing an object to a container, and is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0041] Accept one pattern among multiple patterns;

[0042] sending pattern recognition information indicating one received pattern to a management device that stores each pattern recognition information for recognizing a pattern in association with each pattern data;

[0043] receiving pattern data associated with pattern recognition information from the management device; and

[0044] Based on the received pattern data, a drawing material is added so as to draw the received one pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

[0045] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a program as one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the method described above.

[0046] Effects of the Invention

[0047] According to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately manage a pattern drawn on the upper surface of an object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a providing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a functional block diagram of a providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a functional block diagram of a management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of a pattern data table.

[0055] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of the first pattern management table.

[0056] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the operations of the providing device and the management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing an example of the second pattern management table.

[0058] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing an example of the first condition management table.

[0059] Fig.12It is a diagram showing an example of the second condition management table.

[0060] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of a store provision quantity table.

[0061] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of a customer-store table.

[0062] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of a customer pattern table.

[0063] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of an object pattern table.

[0064] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the operations of the providing device and the management device according to the modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Hereinafter, a providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of description, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or corresponding parts, and unnecessary detailed description may be omitted.

[0066] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is an overall structural diagram of a providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the providing system 1 includes a management device 4 and a plurality of providing devices 2. The providing devices 2 and the management device 4 are connected to a network 10 such as the Internet and can communicate with each other. However, they may be connected individually as needed.

[0067] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a providing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The providing device 2 has a placement surface 61 for placing a container 6 capable of accommodating an object. The providing device 2 can supply the object to the container 6 on the placement surface 61, and can add a drawing material after supplying the object. The providing device 2 can have the functions possessed by a known device for automatically providing a beverage with a latte art.

[0068] The object is a liquid contained in a container such as a cup, the upper surface of which is covered with a foam body so that a pattern for latte art can be drawn on the upper surface. For example, the object is a beverage such as milk coffee or coffee latte, which is covered with milk foamed with steam so that a pattern for latte art can be drawn on the upper surface. The providing device 2 is configured to provide the beverage by injecting the beverage into a container 6 such as a cup.

[0069] In this embodiment, the pattern is a concept including characters and patterns, and the following scenario is assumed: the orderer orders an object with added drawing materials, such as a latte with latte art, and the provider uses the providing device 2 to provide the object with added drawing materials.

[0070] Figure 3 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a providing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The providing device 2 includes a processor 21, an object supply mechanism 22, a printer 23, an input device 24, a display device 25, a storage device 26, and a communication device 27. These components are connected via a bus 28. In addition, an interface is inserted between the bus 28 and each component as needed.

[0071] The processor 21 controls the overall operation of the providing device 2. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 21 reads programs and data stored in the storage device 26 and executes the programs to perform various processes. The processor 21 may be composed of a plurality of processors.

[0072] The object supply mechanism 22 is a mechanism for supplying an object to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface 61 of the providing device 2, and is controlled by the processor 21. The object supply mechanism 22 can have a supply mechanism that is provided by a known device that can supply coffee beverages. In one example, the object supply mechanism 22 includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a milk tank for storing milk, a brewing unit that can brew coffee, a frothing module for frothing milk, a coffee extraction port, and a milk nozzle. In this case, the object supply mechanism 22 is configured to supply brewed coffee from the extraction port to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface of the providing device 2 through a pipe, and to supply frothed milk to the container 6 from the milk nozzle.

[0073] The printer 23 is a unit for drawing a pattern by adding a drawing material to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface 61 of the providing device 2, and is controlled by the processor 21. The drawing material is a single-color edible ink body. However, the drawing material can also be set to a multi-color edible ink body or cocoa, coffee powder, etc.

[0074] The input device 24 is a user interface for accepting user input to the providing device 2, such as a touch panel, a touch pad, or a button. The display device 25 is a display that displays application screens and the like to the user of the providing device 2 under the control of the processor 21. In the present embodiment, the providing device 2 includes a touch panel 24 as the input device 24, and the touch panel 24 also functions as the display device 25, and the input device 24 and the display device 25 are formed as an integrated structure. For the sake of convenience of description, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the providing device 2 includes a touch panel 24 as the input device 24 and the display device 25 for description, but it should be understood that the input device 24 and the display device 25 are not limited to touch panels.

[0075] The storage device 26 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as RAM. RAM is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a storage area and a work area when the processor 21 processes information. The main storage device may also include a ROM that is a read-only non-volatile storage medium. The auxiliary storage device stores various programs and data used by the processor 21 when executing each program. As long as the auxiliary storage device can store information, it may be any non-volatile storage unit or non-volatile memory, and it may be removable.

[0076] The communication device 27 is a wireless LAN module that can transmit and receive data with other computers such as user terminals or servers via a network. The communication device 27 can also be other wireless communication devices such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) modules, and can also be wired communication devices such as Ethernet (registered trademark) modules and USB interfaces.

[0077] Figure 4 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the management device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The management device 4 includes a processor 41, an input device 42, a display device 43, a storage device 44, and a communication device 45. These components are connected via a bus 46. In addition, an interface is inserted between the bus 46 and each component as needed. The management device 4 has the same structure as a general server, PC, etc.

[0078] The processor 41 controls the overall operation of the management device 4. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 41 reads programs and data stored in the storage device 44 and executes the programs to perform various processes. The processor 41 may be composed of a plurality of processors.

[0079] The input device 42 is a user interface for accepting user input to the management device 4, such as a touch panel, a touch pad, or buttons. The display device 43 is a display that displays application screens and the like to the user of the management device 4 under the control of the processor 41.

[0080] The storage device 44 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as RAM. RAM is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a storage area and a work area when the processor 41 processes information. The main storage device may also include a ROM as a read-only non-volatile storage medium. The auxiliary storage device stores various programs and data used by the processor 41 when executing each program. As long as the auxiliary storage device can store information, it may be any non-volatile storage unit or non-volatile memory, and it may be removable.

[0081] The communication device 45 is a wireless LAN module that can transmit and receive data with other computers such as user terminals or servers via a network. The communication device 45 can also be other wireless communication devices such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) modules, and can also be wired communication devices such as Ethernet (registered trademark) modules and USB interfaces.

[0082] Figure 5 1 is a functional block diagram of a providing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The providing device 2 includes a storage unit 31 and a control unit 32 .

[0083] The storage unit 31 is implemented by the storage device 26. The storage unit 31 stores information for selecting a pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object. In one example, the storage unit 31 stores a pattern ID for identifying a pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object in association with a pattern name for providing the user of the device 2 to identify the pattern ID. The pattern ID is an example of pattern identification information, and different patterns are assigned different pattern IDs as long as the pattern can be uniquely identified. The storage unit 31 may also store an icon representing the pattern in association with the pattern name in addition to the pattern name, or store an icon representing the pattern in association with the pattern name instead of the pattern name. The pattern name or the icon representing the pattern can be set by the user of the device 2, or can be set based on data received from the management device 4. In addition, the storage unit 31 can also be configured such that the storage device 26 stores data (such as a table) and a program for a database, and the processor 21 functions as a database by executing the program.

[0084] The functions of the control unit 32 are realized by the processor 21 executing a program, or by the processor 21 executing a program and the object supply mechanism 22 or the printer 23 operating. The executed program is, for example, a program temporarily or non-temporarily stored in the storage device 26. These functions may also be realized by hardware by configuring an electronic circuit for realizing part or all of each function.

[0085] The providing device 2 is configured to accept one of the plurality of patterns via the touch panel 24. In one example, the control unit 32 displays a pattern name for selecting a pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object on the touch panel 24, and accepts a touch input from the user using the touch panel 24, thereby accepting an input of a pattern corresponding to the selected pattern name. When accepting a pattern, the control unit 32 transmits a pattern ID representing the pattern to the management device 4.

[0086] Figure 6 1 is a functional block diagram of the management device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The management device 4 includes a storage unit 51 and a control unit 52 .

[0087] In this embodiment, the storage unit 51 has various functions of a database. The storage device 44 stores various data (e.g., tables) and programs for the database, and the functions of the storage unit 51 are realized by executing the programs by the processor 41. The method of holding data in the storage unit 51, the elements of the fields stored in various tables, etc. described below are just examples, and can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0088] The functions of the control unit 52 are realized by executing a program by the processor 41. The executed program is, for example, a program temporarily or non-temporarily stored in the storage device 44. These functions may be realized by hardware by configuring an electronic circuit for realizing part or all of each function.

[0089] The storage unit 51 stores pattern data related to the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object. The pattern data is data required for the providing device 2 to draw the pattern on the upper surface of the object. The storage unit 31 of the providing device 2 does not store pattern data. In this embodiment, the storage unit 51 stores a pattern data table that associates pattern IDs with pattern data. In this way, each pattern data is associated with a pattern ID so that each pattern data can be identified. That is, one pattern ID represents one pattern and corresponds to the pattern data used to draw the pattern. Figure 7is a diagram showing an example of a pattern data table. The pattern data table stores each pattern data, but instead of storing each pattern data, each path for storing each pattern data may be stored. In this case, the control unit 52 is configured to be able to access various images via the path. In one example, the pattern data table stores a pattern name corresponding to a pattern ID or an icon representing the pattern in association with the pattern ID. The icon may also include the pattern name.

[0090] The storage unit 51 stores a providing device ID for identifying the providing device 2. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 51 stores a first pattern management table in which the providing device ID and the pattern ID are associated with each other. Figure 8 2 is a diagram showing an example of the first pattern management table. The first pattern management table associates one providing device ID with one or more pattern IDs. The providing device ID is an example of providing device identification information for identifying the providing device 2, and any providing device 2 can be uniquely identified. Figure 8 In the first pattern management table shown, the providing device ID "device-1" is associated with the pattern IDs "design-1", "design-2", "design-3" and "design-5". The providing system 1 (management device 4) can use known terminal identification methods, such as terminal codes, MAC addresses or IP addresses, to identify the providing device 2.

[0091] The providing device 2 is configured to accept only the pattern represented by the pattern ID stored in the first pattern management table in association with the providing device ID representing the providing device 2. For example, the control unit 32 displays only the pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID stored in the first pattern management table in association with the providing device ID representing the providing device 2 on the touch panel 24, and accepts one of the patterns based on the touch input from the user.

[0092] In one example, the providing device 2 periodically receives information about the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 in the first pattern management table from the management device 4, and compares the information with the pattern ID stored in the storage unit 31. When the result of the comparison by the providing device 2 is that the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added to the first pattern management table, the providing device 2 receives the pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID or the icon representing the pattern from the management device 4. The control unit 32 stores the received pattern name or icon in the storage unit 31 in association with the pattern ID. Alternatively, when the result of the comparison by the providing device 2 is that the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added to the first pattern management table, the providing device 2 accepts input of the pattern name or icon corresponding to the pattern ID via the touch panel 24. The control unit 32 stores the accepted pattern name or icon in the storage unit 31 in association with the pattern ID. When the result of the comparison by the providing device 2 is that the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is deleted in the first pattern management table, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 deletes the pattern ID and the pattern name or icon corresponding to the pattern ID from the storage unit 31.

[0093] In another example, when the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added to the first pattern management table, the management device 4 sends the pattern ID and the pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID or the icon representing the pattern to the providing device 2. The control unit 32 stores the received pattern name or icon in the storage unit 31 in association with the received pattern ID. Alternatively, when the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added to the first pattern management table, the management device 4 sends information indicating that the pattern ID is added to the providing device 2. The providing device 2 accepts input of the pattern name or icon corresponding to the received pattern ID via the touch panel 24. The control unit 32 stores the accepted pattern name or icon in the storage unit 31 in association with the received pattern ID. When the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is deleted from the first pattern management table, the management device 4 sends information indicating that the pattern ID is deleted to the providing device 2. The control unit 32 of the providing device 2 deletes the received pattern ID and the pattern name or icon corresponding to the pattern ID from the storage unit 31.

[0094] The control unit 52 of the management device 4 is configured so that, when the providing device 2 sends the pattern ID to the management device 4, the control unit 52 acquires information that can identify the providing device 2 from the information received from the providing device 2, thereby determining the providing device ID of the providing device 2. The control unit 52 is configured to acquire pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID received from the providing device 2 using the pattern data table, and to send the acquired pattern data to the providing device 2.

[0095] When receiving the pattern data, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6 placed on the placement surface 61 of the providing device 2. At this time, the object supply mechanism 22 supplies the object to the container 6 in a manner that the upper surface of the object is covered with a foam-like body so that a pattern for drawing can be drawn on the upper surface. Preferably, the foam-like body is a uniform color such as white, and the surface is a flat surface to the extent that a pattern can be drawn.

[0096] After the control unit 32 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6, the control unit 32 operates the printer 23 using the received pattern data, thereby adding drawing materials in a manner of drawing the pattern received by the providing device 2 on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6. In a preferred example, after adding the drawing materials using the pattern data, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 deletes the pattern data from the storage unit 31.

[0097] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the operations of the providing device 2 and the management device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] The providing device 2 accepts one of the multiple patterns (step 101). When the providing device 2 accepts a pattern, it sends a pattern ID representing the pattern to the management device 4 (step 102). The management device 4 receives the pattern ID from the providing device 2 (step 103). In step 103, the management device 4 obtains information that can identify the providing device 2 from the information received from the providing device 2, thereby determining the providing device ID of the providing device 2.

[0099] The management device 4 uses the pattern data table to obtain the pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID received from the providing device 2, and sends the obtained pattern data to the providing device 2 indicated by the providing device ID determined in step 103 (step 104). The providing device 2 receives the pattern data from the management device 4 (step 105). The providing device 2 uses the received pattern data to operate the printer 23, thereby adding the drawing material in a manner of drawing the pattern received by the providing device 2 on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6 (step 106).

[0100] Before step 106 , for example, before step 101 or between step 105 and step 106 , the providing device 2 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6 , thereby supplying the object to the container 6 placed on the placement surface 61 of the providing device 2 .

[0101] Next, the effect of the providing system 1 of the embodiment of the present invention is described. In the present embodiment, the management device 4 stores the pattern data required for the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object injected into the container 6, and the providing device 2 does not store the pattern data. On the other hand, the providing device 2 accepts the input of the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object by a selection operation, obtains the pattern data through communication with the management device 4, and uses the received pattern data to make the printer 23 operate, thereby adding the drawing material in a manner of drawing the pattern accepted to the input. In this way, it is configured that the pattern drawn by the providing device 2 using the drawing material is managed by the management device 4, so that the providing device 2 can be prevented from using the pattern data not managed by the management device 4 to make the printer operate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user of the providing device 2 from causing the providing device 2 to operate to add the drawing material in a manner of drawing, for example, an inappropriate pattern. Inappropriate patterns are, for example, patterns that may infringe copyrights, patterns that violate public order and morality, etc. Thus, the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object can be more appropriately managed.

[0102] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the object and the drawing material are coffee lattes with latte art, etc., and it is assumed that the pattern drawn is a popular character, etc. Therefore, it is assumed that the pattern that the providing device 2 can provide is changed many times a year. By configuring as in the present embodiment, the management device 4 manages the pattern drawn by the providing device 2, so it is relatively easy to update the pattern, and the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object can be more appropriately managed. In addition, in the present embodiment, in a preferred example, the providing device 2 is configured to delete the pattern data from the storage device 26 after adding the drawing material based on the pattern data. By setting it to such a structure, it is possible to prevent the providing device 2 from using the pattern data that has been received and is not managed by the management device 4 to operate the printer.

[0103] Unless otherwise specified, the above-mentioned effects are also the same in other embodiments and other examples. In the modified embodiment shown below, the providing system 1 is also configured to be able to more appropriately manage the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object.

[0104] In the first variant embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of providing devices 2 in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention is configured in each store that provides an object. One or more providing devices 2 are configured in one store. The storage unit 51 stores a store ID that can identify the store in association with the providing device ID. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a second pattern management table that associates the store ID, the providing device ID, and the pattern ID.

[0105] Fig.102 is a diagram showing an example of the second pattern management table. The second pattern management table associates a combination of a store ID and a provision device ID with one or more pattern IDs. The store ID is an example of store identification information, and any store can be uniquely identified. Fig.10 In the second pattern management table shown, the store ID "shop-1" is associated with the providing device ID "device-1". Furthermore, the providing device ID "device-1" is associated with the pattern IDs "design-1", "design-2", "design-3" and "design-5". In addition, the store ID "shop-2" is associated with the providing device IDs "device-2" and "device-4". This means that the providing device 2 represented by the providing device ID "device-2" and the providing device 2 represented by the providing device ID "device-4" are configured in the same store (shop ID is "shop-2"). Furthermore, the providing device IDs "device-2" and "device-4" are associated with the same pattern IDs "design-1", "design-3" and "design-6".

[0106] In the first variant embodiment, the management device 4 is also configured to manage the pattern drawn by the providing device 2 using the drawing material, so that the providing device 2 can be prevented from operating the printer using pattern data that is not managed by the management device 4. In addition, since the store ID is stored in association with the providing device ID, the pattern drawn by the providing device 2 can be managed for each store. In this way, the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object can be managed more appropriately. The second pattern management table can also only associate the store ID with the providing device ID. In this case, the management device 4 can use the first pattern management table and the second pattern management table to manage the pattern drawn by the providing device 2 for each store.

[0107] The second variant embodiment of the present invention is that in the first variant embodiment, the storage unit 51 further stores the store ID, the providing device ID and the pattern ID in association with the acceptance period. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a first condition management table in the storage device 44 that associates the store ID, the providing device ID, the pattern ID and the acceptance period. Fig.11: This is a diagram showing an example of the first condition management table. The first condition management table associates a group of a store ID, a providing device ID, and a pattern ID with an acceptance period. For example, the store ID "shop-1", the providing device ID "device-1", and the pattern ID "design-1" are associated with the acceptance period "2019 / 1-". The acceptance period "2019 / 1-" indicates that the acceptance period is from January 2019 onwards. For example, the acceptance period "2020 / 1-2020 / 12" indicates that the acceptance period is from January to December 2020. In the case where it is desired to accept specified store IDs, providing device IDs, and pattern IDs regardless of the acceptance period, the acceptance period can also be set to the entire period.

[0108] The providing device 2 is configured to accept only the pattern represented by the pattern ID associated with the acceptance period including the current time in the first condition management table. In the second variant embodiment, the pattern drawn by the providing device 2 when the acceptance period is determined can be further managed. Thereby, the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object can be more appropriately managed.

[0109] The third variant embodiment of the present invention is that in the first variant embodiment or the second variant embodiment, the storage unit 51 further associates the store ID, the providing device ID and the pattern ID with the set quantity range for storage. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a second condition management table in the storage device 44 that associates the store ID, the providing device ID, the pattern ID and the set quantity range. Fig.12 1 is a diagram showing an example of a second condition management table. The second condition management table associates a set of a store ID, a provision device ID, and a pattern ID with a set quantity range. In addition, the storage unit 51 stores the store ID in association with the provision quantity representing the quantity of the provided object. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a store provision quantity table that associates the store ID with the provision quantity. Fig.13 : is a diagram showing an example of a store provision quantity table. The provision device 2 is configured to accept only the pattern represented by the pattern ID associated with the set quantity range that includes the provision quantity in the set quantity range in the second condition management table. In other words, the provision device 2 is configured to accept the pattern represented by the pattern ID only when the provision quantity associated with the store ID in the store provision quantity table is within the set quantity range associated with the store ID, provision device ID and pattern ID in the second condition management table.

[0110] In one example, the management device 4 sets the set quantity range in the second condition management table in the following manner: when the supply quantity associated with the store ID associated with the supply device ID representing the supply device 2 is greater than the prescribed quantity, the supply device 2 can accept patterns represented by pattern IDs of a first number of types, and when the supply quantity is less than the prescribed quantity, the supply device 2 can accept patterns represented by pattern IDs of a second number of types less than the first number of types. By setting such a structure, the supply device 2 installed in a store with a supply quantity greater than the prescribed quantity can accept more types of patterns than the supply device 2 installed in a store with a supply quantity less than the prescribed quantity, thereby further promoting the sales of the object.

[0111] In another example, the management device 4 sets the set quantity range in the second condition management table in the following manner: when the supply quantity associated with the store ID associated with the supply device ID representing the supply device 2 is greater than the specified quantity, the supply device 2 can accept the pattern represented by the pattern ID including the specified pattern ID, and when the supply quantity is less than the specified quantity, the supply device 2 can accept the pattern represented by the pattern ID not including the specified pattern ID. By setting such a structure, the supply device 2 installed in the store where the supply quantity is greater than the specified quantity can accept the pattern with a high rarity, compared with the supply device 2 installed in the store where the supply quantity is less than the specified quantity, so that the sales of the object can be further promoted.

[0112] Regarding the fourth variant embodiment of the present invention, in the first variant embodiment, the providing system 1 also manages the customer ID. The customer ID is an example of customer identification information, and it is sufficient as long as the customer can be uniquely identified. The providing device 2 is configured to accept the customer ID. In one example, the providing system 1 manages by identifying each customer using an ID number. The providing device 2 obtains the customer ID from the customer who receives the object through a membership card, an application on a mobile terminal, etc.

[0113] The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the customer ID and the store ID in association with each other. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a customer-store table in which the customer ID and the store ID are associated with each other. Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing an example of a customer-store table. The customer-store table associates one customer ID with one or more store IDs. The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the customer ID and the pattern ID in association with each other. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a customer pattern table that associates the customer ID and the pattern ID. Fig.15 2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer pattern table. The customer pattern table associates one customer ID with one or more pattern IDs.

[0114] The providing device 2 is configured to accept a customer ID via, for example, a contactless IC card reader, a QR code (registered trademark) reader, or a barcode reader. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 accepts the customer ID, it sends the customer ID to the management device 4. When the control unit 52 of the management device 4 receives the customer ID from the providing device 2, it stores the store ID in the customer store table in association with the customer ID. The store ID associated here is the store ID associated with the providing device ID corresponding to the providing device 2 as the recipient of the customer ID in the second pattern management table. When the customer ID is associated with a specified store ID in the customer store table, the control unit 52 stores the customer ID in association with one or more specified pattern IDs in the customer pattern table.

[0115] The providing device 2 is configured to accept a pattern represented by one or more specified pattern IDs stored in the customer pattern table in association with the customer ID when the customer ID accepted in the customer shop table is associated with a specified shop ID. In this case, the providing device 2 is configured to also accept a pattern represented by a pattern ID stored in association with the providing device ID representing the providing device 2 in the second pattern management table. Therefore, the specified pattern ID associated with the customer ID in the customer pattern table is included in the pattern ID associated with the specified shop ID in the second pattern management table. The specified shop ID is, for example, one or more specific shop IDs such as shop IDs "shop-1" and "shop-2". On the other hand, the providing device 2 is configured to accept only a pattern represented by a pattern ID stored in association with the providing device ID representing the providing device 2 in the second pattern management table other than the above-mentioned specified pattern ID when the customer ID accepted in the customer shop table is not associated with the specified shop ID. By setting such a structure, it is possible to further promote customers to purchase objects in different shops.

[0116] In a fifth variant embodiment of the present invention, a system 1 is provided to manage objects and patterns so that the patterns that can be drawn for one object are of one type. The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the object ID and the pattern ID in association with each other. In a preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores an object pattern table that associates the object ID with the pattern ID. Fig.16 : is a diagram showing an example of an object pattern table. The object pattern table associates a pattern ID with an object ID. The object ID is an example of object identification information, and any object ID can be used as long as it can uniquely identify the object. For example, the object ID "object-1" can be set to coffee latte, and the object ID "object-2" can be set to cappuccino, etc.

[0117] The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept an object via the touch panel 24. The storage unit 31 stores the object ID in association with the object name. The control unit 32 is configured to send the object ID to the management device 4 when receiving an object ID corresponding to an object name. When the control unit 52 of the management device 4 receives the object ID from the providing device 2, it uses the object pattern table to obtain the pattern ID associated with the object ID, and sends the pattern ID to the providing device 2. The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the pattern represented by the pattern ID received from the management device 4. The pattern ID associated with the object ID in the object pattern table is included in the pattern ID associated with the providing device ID corresponding to the providing device 2 that provides the object represented by the object ID in the first pattern management table or the second pattern management table.

[0118] In the sixth modified embodiment of the present invention, the providing device 2 does not include the object supply mechanism 22. Therefore, after the container 6 supplied with the object is placed on the placement surface 61, the providing device 2 uses the pattern data received from the management device 4 to operate the printer 23, thereby adding the drawing material in a manner of drawing the pattern received by the providing device 2 on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6. The sixth modified embodiment can be applied to embodiments other than the fifth modified embodiment.

[0119] In the seventh modified embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores only the pattern data table, and does not store the tables described in the above embodiments such as the first pattern management table and the second pattern management table.

[0120] In the eighth modified embodiment of the present invention, the providing system 1 further includes a user terminal. The providing device 2 is configured to receive one pattern data from the user terminal. When receiving one pattern data, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 transmits the pattern data to the management device 4.

[0121] When receiving pattern data from the providing device 2, the control unit 52 of the management device 4 determines whether the pattern data satisfies a prescribed standard. In one example, the storage unit 51 stores NG pattern data of a character whose copyright is owned by a third party. The control unit 52 determines the similarity between the pattern data received from the providing device 2 and the NG pattern data using a known technique for determining image similarity. When the determined similarity is less than a prescribed value, the control unit 52 determines that the received pattern data satisfies a prescribed standard, and when the determined similarity is greater than a prescribed value, the control unit 52 determines that the received pattern data does not satisfy a prescribed standard.

[0122] When it is determined that the prescribed benchmark is met, the control unit 52 sends permission information for allowing the drawing of pattern data to the providing device 2. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 receives the permission information, it causes the printer 23 to operate based on the pattern data sent to the management device 4, thereby adding drawing materials in a manner of drawing a pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6. When it is determined that the prescribed benchmark is not met, the control unit 52 sends a rejection information for rejecting the drawing of pattern data to the providing device 2. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 receives the rejection information, it cannot add drawing materials. For example, in this case, the touch panel 24 displays a message indicating that the received pattern data cannot be drawn. By setting such a structure, even if the drawing of a pattern is instructed in the user terminal device, the pattern drawn on the upper surface of the object can be more appropriately managed.

[0123] Fig.17 It is a flowchart showing the operations of the providing device 2 and the management device 4 according to the eighth modified embodiment.

[0124] The providing device 2 receives a pattern data from the user terminal device (step 201). When receiving the pattern data, the providing device 2 sends the pattern data to the management device 4 (step 202). The management device 4 receives the pattern data from the providing device 2 (step 203). The management device 4 determines whether the pattern data satisfies a prescribed criterion. If it is determined that the prescribed criterion is satisfied, the management device 4 sends permission information for permitting drawing to the providing device 2. If it is determined that the prescribed criterion is not satisfied, the management device 4 sends rejection information for rejecting drawing to the providing device 2 (step 204).

[0125] The providing device 2 receives permission information or rejection information from the management device 4 (step 205). The providing device 2 determines whether the permission information is received (step 206). If the providing device 2 receives the permission information, the providing device 2 operates the printer 23 based on the pattern data sent to the management device 4 in step 202, thereby adding the drawing material in a manner of drawing a pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6 (step 207). If the providing device 2 receives the rejection information, it does not add the drawing material.

[0126] Before step 106 , for example, before step 101 or between step 105 and step 106 , the providing device 2 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6 , thereby supplying the object to the container 6 placed on the placement surface 61 of the providing device 2 .

[0127] In a ninth variant embodiment of the present invention, the providing system 1 further includes a user terminal. The user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create pattern data using only specified pattern elements. In one example, the user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create pattern data by selecting a specified character and a posture of the character. In one example, the user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create pattern data by selecting an object of a specified shape and selecting a configuration position. The providing device 2 causes the printer 23 to operate based on the pattern data, thereby adding drawing materials in a manner that draws a pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container 6. By limiting the patterns that can be drawn in the user terminal device in this way, the patterns drawn on the upper surface of the object can also be more appropriately managed.

[0128] The above-mentioned modified embodiments can be appropriately combined and applied to any embodiment, example, or modified example of the present invention unless any contradiction occurs.

[0129] In other embodiments of the present invention, it can also be set as a program for implementing the functions of the embodiments of the present invention described above or the information processing shown in the flowchart, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. In addition, in other embodiments, it can also be set as a method for implementing the functions of the embodiments of the present invention described above or the information processing shown in the flowchart.

[0130] In the above-described processing or action, as long as there is no contradiction in the processing or action, such as using data that should not be used in the step, the processing or action can be freely changed. In addition, the above-described embodiments are examples for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist.

[0131] Description of Reference Numerals

[0132] 1: providing system; 2: providing device; 4: management device; 6: container; 10: network; 21, 41: processor; 22: object supply mechanism; 23: printer; 24, 42: input device (touch panel); 25, 43: display device; 26, 44: storage device; 27, 45: communication device; 28, 46: bus; 31, 51: storage unit; 32, 52: control unit; 61: loading surface.

Claims

1. A providing system, comprising a providing device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the providing device via a network, wherein: The supply device includes a printer capable of adding a drawing material to an object supplied into a container, The providing device is configured to receive one of the plurality of patterns, and when receiving one pattern, transmits pattern recognition information representing the pattern to the management device. The management device is configured to store each pattern recognition information for recognizing a pattern in association with each pattern data, and to transmit the pattern data associated with the pattern recognition information received from the providing device to the providing device, The providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data received from the management device, thereby adding drawing materials in a manner of drawing the pattern received by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container, The providing system comprises a plurality of providing devices. The management device stores each providing device identification information for identifying the providing device in association with one or more pattern identification information, The providing device is configured to accept only a pattern represented by pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with providing device identification information representing the providing device, Each of the providing devices is arranged in each store where the object is provided. The management device stores store identification information for identifying a store in association with the providing device identification information, and stores the store identification information and the providing device identification information in association with one or more pattern identification information.

2. The providing system according to claim 1, wherein: The management device stores the store identification information, the providing device identification information and the pattern identification information in association with the acceptance period. The providing device is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern recognition information associated with the acceptance period including the current time by the management device.

3. The providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The management device stores each store identification information in association with the quantity of the object provided, and stores the store identification information, the providing device identification information and the pattern identification information in association with the set quantity range. The providing device is configured to accept the pattern represented by the pattern identification information only when the provided quantity associated with the store identification information by the management device is within a set quantity range associated with the store identification information, the providing device identification information and the pattern identification information.

4. The providing system according to claim 3, wherein: The management device sets the set quantity range in the following manner: when the supply quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the supply device identification information representing the supply device is greater than a specified quantity, the supply device can accept patterns represented by pattern identification information of a first number of types, and when the supply quantity is less than a specified quantity, the supply device can accept patterns represented by pattern identification information of a second number of types which is less than the first number of types.

5. The providing system according to claim 3, wherein: The management device sets the set quantity range in the following manner: when the provided quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the providing device identification information representing the providing device is greater than the specified quantity, the providing device can accept the pattern represented by the pattern recognition information containing the specified pattern recognition information, and when the provided quantity is less than the specified quantity, the providing device can accept the pattern represented by the pattern recognition information not containing the specified pattern recognition information.

6. The providing system according to claim 1, wherein: The management device stores only the providing device identification information associated with the predetermined period and the predetermined store identification information in association with the pattern identification information including the predetermined pattern identification information.

7. The providing system according to claim 1 or 6, wherein: The providing device is configured to receive customer identification information for identifying a customer, and when receiving the customer identification information, transmit the customer identification information to the management device. The management device stores the store identification information associated with the providing device identification information of the providing device indicating that the customer identification information has been received in association with the customer identification information, and when the customer identification information is associated with the specified store identification information, the management device stores the specified pattern identification information among the pattern identification information stored in association with the providing device identification information in association with the customer identification information, The providing device that receives the customer identification information associated with the predetermined store identification information is configured to be able to receive a pattern represented by the predetermined pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with the customer identification information.

8. The providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The management device stores object identification information for identifying an object, and stores one object identification information in association with only one pattern identification information. The providing device is configured to accept one object among a plurality of objects, and when accepting one object, is configured to accept only a pattern represented by pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with object identification information representing the object.

9. The providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The providing device deletes the pattern data after adding the drawing material based on the pattern data.

10. The providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also includes a user terminal device, The providing device is configured to receive pattern data from the user terminal device, and when receiving one pattern data, transmit the pattern data to the management device. When the management device receives the pattern data from the providing device, it determines whether the pattern data satisfies a predetermined criterion, and when it is determined that the pattern data satisfies the predetermined criterion, it sends permission information for permitting drawing to the providing device. When receiving the permission information, the providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data transmitted to the management device, thereby adding the drawing material so as to draw a pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

11. The providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Also includes a user terminal device, The user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create pattern data using only predetermined pattern elements. The providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data to add a drawing material so as to draw the pattern received by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container.

12. A method for providing an object, the method being performed in a providing device capable of providing an object to a container, the method comprising the following steps: Accept one pattern among multiple patterns; sending pattern recognition information indicating one received pattern to a management device that stores each pattern recognition information for recognizing a pattern in association with each pattern data; receiving pattern data associated with pattern recognition information from the management device; as well as Based on the received pattern data, a drawing material is added so as to draw the received pattern on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container. The management device stores identification information of each providing device for identifying the plurality of providing devices in association with one or more pattern identification information. The providing device is configured to accept only a pattern represented by pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with providing device identification information representing the providing device, Each of the providing devices is arranged in each store where the object is provided. The management device stores store identification information for identifying a store in association with the providing device identification information, and stores the store identification information and the providing device identification information in association with one or more pattern identification information.

13. A computer program product comprising a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the method according to claim 12.

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